Reverend Christie Hale has been in ministry for more than 20 years: first as a lay person after graduating from high school, and then as a clergy person. She begins her sixth year as our Pastor July 1, 2022. 

She grew up in Escondido, California (a suburb of San Diego) as one of 3 children. She was exposed to a diverse community and learned to value what each person brought to share.  She might be one of the only people who grew up in California that did not like the weather.  She grew tired of all the sun and really enjoyed clouds and rain.  Her family teases her that she gets a little down when it's been sunny for too long -- they are probably right!
 
She graduated from California State University San Marcos with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Criminology in 2000, and from Emory University's Candler School of Theology with both a Master of Divinity in 2003 and Master of Theology in 2005.  She met Josh during seminary and married in December 2003. She welcomed her first child Ben in June 2005 before moving to England for a year.  While Josh pastored 6 small rural churches, she focused on being a wife and mom.  They moved to Lumberton, TX in August of 2006; She joined the staff of Woodcrest UMC and Josh was appointed to Wesley Student Center at Lamar University and Wesley UMC in Beaumont.  They welcomed their daughter Ellie in May of 2007. She was commissioned at Annual Conference in 2008 and appointed to First UMC in Port Arthur. She served there 3 years and they welcomed their second son, Sam, in June 2010 just after she was ordained.  In June of 2011 Josh was appointed to Perritte Memorial UMC in Nacogdoches and she was appointed as an Associate Pastor at First UMC also in Nacogdoches.  There family was blessed with a fourth child, a son named Tim, in April of 2013.  He was born 8 weeks prematurely, and shortly after birth a congenital heart condition manifested.  His first few years of life have been marked with lots of doctors appointments, several procedures, and therapy.  He is a living, breathing miracle, and our church families have  blessed us beyond measure as they have  walked this journey with us.  During his first year of life she was appointed part time to Pine Hill & Blossom Hill United Methodist Churches in Henderson, TX.  In July 2014, Josh and her were both appointed to serve Mission Bend UMC together.  She continued to serve part time as an associate while Josh was the lead pastor. 
 
She is passionate about the church, particularly worship, education, and mission.  Her favorite Bible verses are Micah 6:8, "What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humble with your God?" and Matthew 25:25-35, "I was hungry and you gave me food to eat.  I was thirsty and you gave me a drink.  I was a stranger and you welcomed me.  I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear.  I was sick and you took care of me.  I was imprisoned and you visited me."  She believes when they are about to work on the kingdom, they begin to see that they are all children of God and together that brings God joy.  She is looking forward to serving together with the people of Faith United Methodist Church and seeing what holy mischief they can do together.